Italo Bergantini, gallerist and founder of Romberg Arte Contemporanea, dies at 68

Italo Bergantini, the founder of Romberg Arte Contemporanea in Latina and Rome, died in April 2025. He was remembered by curator Gianluca Marziani in a heartfelt tribute published on Artribune. Bergantini was known for his instinctive eye for quality, his ability to create collectors from casual visitors, and his deep passion for art and publishing. He started his career as a dealer in Turin before moving to Latina, where he opened his first gallery in a residential building on the outskirts of the city. The space featured a white cube with gray carpet and a large storage area that became his secret world for strategizing with artists and collectors. Marziani convinced him to open a second location in Rome at Piazza de' Ricci, which became a hub for exhibitions and installations. Bergantini was supported by his niece Agata and his wife Cristina, and he leaves behind a son, Simone. He was deeply committed to producing catalogues and books, believing in the foundational value of paper for historical record. Despite health issues, he continued working intensely until his death, with many projects planned for April 2025. Marziani described him as a 'personal Ulysses of the Pontine region,' a rock who never complained and prioritized art and family over medical checkups.